Louth Garda Chief says "I'll just be a minute" excuse won't work for those illegally parking in disabled bays

By LMFM News Team

18 April 2018

The head of the Louth Garda Division has warned that the "I'll just be a minute" excuse won't work with local gardaí, as part of a crackdown on the unauthorised use of parking bays for people with disabilities.

The misuse of disabled parking permits is the other main objective of Operation Enable which was officially launched in Louth yesterday.

It's a multi-agency initiative between An Garda Síochána, Louth County Council, the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland and the Irish Wheelchair Association.

Since the first of March, the fine for parking in a disabled parking bay has increased to €150 from €80.

It rises to €225 if it's not paid within 28 days and a court summons will be issued if the fine remains unpaid after 56 days

And those who alter, copy, forge, fraudulently lend, or allow a permit to be used by someone else, face being prosecuted, and a maximum fine on conviction of €3,000 and or six months in prison.

Chief Supt. Christy Mangan says they will be getting tough on those who misuse the permits.